Signments



March 6, 1928.

W. D. LA MONT STEAM GENERATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet),

original Filed Dscfze. 1918 March 6, 1928.

W. D. LA MONT STEAM GENERATOR original Filed Dec, 28, 1913 5 Sheets-sneer 2 INVENTOR W A /Vo/vr BY 1J ATTORNEY 5 March 6, 1928.

l W. D. LA MONT STEAM GENERATOR a1 Filed Dec. 2e, i918 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Grigin INVENTOR'` D. A/V/VT BY ATTORNEY S '40 power n R-eiaaued Mal',- 1928.U l

jRe. 16,895.

' ii-N'iTEDsTATEs- P'.x'i'iftiaroiricia.

WALTER DOUGLASLAIMONT, OE LAROHMONT, NEW xYORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MEsNE AssieNivrENTs, TO LA MONT cORrORAT1oN,-OE NEW YORR, N. Y., A CORPORATION OE NEW YORK.

i 'STEAM GENERATOR.

.- Original No;v 1,545,668Mdated July `14, 1925,' Serial No. 268,651, led December 28, 1918. Application foi' reissue fiiea July 9,1927. seriai No.' 204,634.

My invention relates. to methods of and means for "generating lsteam land has for yits object a. -niethod Vof generating steam by which steam at high' pressure adapted for ilse in^ steam engines m-ay be gene-ratedv quickly from a small amount of -Water constantly supplied lso that the weight of water carried in the generator during the process Y of generating the' steai'n-v will be the least l0 ,possible` and will add asv little as possible to the'iveght of the generatorvitself. Thein'- `vention also has for its object to provide a steamgenerator adapted to carry out the method described which will-be simple in construction, compact'and of relatively light Weight and will be vadapted to effectively and safely generate steam rapidly and at high pressure from a lrelatively small amount of. water.

' My invention--fis particularly intended for generating steam for a steam engine for use in ,driving the propeller of an'- aeroplane. The advantages of afsteam 'engine for thisl purpose over4 the Aexplosion engine, particu- 5 larlyas' regards possibility ofl continuous operation for many engine as a whole, freedom from vibration and tliefatigue of the metal ofthe engine Vshaft and other parts affected by vibration, as well as other advantages, have *long been recognized but it has found' possible to produce an engine and generator, which, when-inropera-tion, that is with Water in the generator, -would be -siifliciently light in lweight to-be used. Thedifliculty so far as the engine itself is 'concerned has been overcome, it being possible to con- ?struct vengines of the turbine typel which are sufficiently .light in .weight per horse furnished `for use in an aeroplane; 'and the cndenser also presents no difliculty as it is possible' toA design a condenser of the honeycomb ltype sufficiently light for the purpose. The serious difculty-has been in vthe generator. Generators which have been constructed of relatively light weight in themselves have been found when in use, that is, when supplied with the Water-.necessary for effective operation, of ya Weight -nm'cli too great tojpermit of their `being used `in an aeroplane.

. lSy Ithe use of to generate steam in sullicient quantity and hours, long life of the not .heretofore been A Figures 7 and 8.

my invention it is possible at suicient pressure to veffectively .operatel `the engine of an aeroplane without exceeding` a. weight, for generator -and thewater contained in it during'the process of enerating steam, which is well Vwithin the limit permissible for use in aeroplanes and it is also possible to superheat the'steam generated so as to deliver it to the engine at any temperature and pressure desired.

Y AWith the abovec described objects and others hereinafter set vforth in view, my in- `vention `consists in the method of and means for generating steam hereinafter described and particularly 'pointed ont in the claims.

Referring to the jdra-wingsf' Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional i' view of a'steam generator adapted to carry out -iny 'method and embodying my means f forl generating steam.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the generator shown in Figure 1.

'Figure 3 is an end view of the saine.

Figure 4 is a central. vertical `crosssec- ,tional view of the upper end of one 0f the generating tubes and the distributing tube liowing the spraying nozzle strip in posiion. y f @Figure 5 is a. side view of a portion of the loclring strip-for hol/dingl the spraying nozzle strip inposition, andFigure 6 is a crosssection ,of the same onV line 6 6 of Figure 5. Figure .7 is'side elevation of a portion of the spraying VYnozzle strip and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the same i-n line 8-8 ofFigiire 7. p' l Figure 9 is abottom plan view of aportion of the spraying nozzle strip shown in Figure 10 is a top plan view of a portion` i of the spraying nozzle strip.

Figure 1 1 is a side elevation of a portion of the'. lining tube for the distributing tube and Figure 12 is a cross-section of the same on line 12-12 of Figure 11.

,Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 1, but showing the generator tubes merged in. at -their upper and distributing ipe and the collecting pipe.

It should concerns the method the drawings are illus# trative merely andv are not intended to limit the invention to the use of the apparatus` e understood that so far as lower ends `where they aresecured to the' V v.shown orto any particular form or `construction-of apparatus. In the drawings, 1 indicates a distributing tubeat the upper end of the generator closed at one end and having Aconnected to it at the other end by'coiipling-Qfa pipe 3 lead-` ing from a header pipe 4, t-o whieli leads a water supply pipe 5 fromfa. feed pump 6,

preferably a 'centrifugal pump. 7 nidicates a'collecting pipe near the lower end('o f the generator closed.. at one end and convneeted at its other end by couplingM 8 to a pipe v9 leading to a header pipe 10 from which a pipe 11 leads to a'separator 1Q for separating the steam from the water discharged from the collecting pipe 7. From A this separator a pipe 13 `leads upward to the engine,"not shown, but preferably of thev turbine type, and from the lower end of the .separator a suitably valved pipe 14 leads to the; pump 6 totake the water separated from the steam back to tliepump to be again supi plied to the distributing pipel.

From the distributing pipe' 1 to the col? lecting pipe 7 extend a series of generator tubes 15v suitably secured by welding or' otherwise at 'their` ends in tliepipes 1 and 7. In actual construction, each of these tubes is 15 feet long,-isvonehalf inch in exterior diameter, of seamlessdrawn steel with walls twenty-eight t-'housandths of an inch thick but, of course",v the lengthl and diameter and other dimensions maybe varied as desired.

' These tubes are. arranged at equal distancesY ing pipe 1- are ,arranged opposite the spaces apart along thetubes 1 and 7, 'preferably so that their outer surfaces will be separated o ne frointhe other" approximately onefourth inch.` In the construction shown,v there are siX of the distributing tubes 1 and collecting tubes 7, each distributing tube being connected with* the header pipe '4 and each collecting tube being connected to the header pipe 10;;` For compactness alterynating distributing f pipes are elevated above the intermediate ones, the 'same arrangement noted that the method of generating steam of 'the present invention' differs essentially from that employed in theso-called ,flash boilers or generators in which the water is being" followed with theA collectingpipes. The tubes 15 connected with one distributadjacent distributing pipe. The tubes 15 with-their distributing pipes.. and collecting pipes `areei iclosedin a suit;

between the tubes lreonnected with the neit able casing'lfi, preferably open at the topV and consistingor kieselguhr composition on a wire netting. This casing extends-below y the collecting tubes 7 tofOrm a combustion perature..

in each of thel tubes 15 tha-teit will forma chamber 17 into whiehuI series of oil atomizing burners 18rdischarge, the flame playingeisipward through the spaces between the. tu 15 and heating them'vt'oefhigh l'tems f in order a)V avoid the lining di thetqpsi with water, I rovide, in* accord nce .withQ my invention, or so distributing he water the, amount thin coatingor `filmion the inner` surface of,

each tube, which will be maintained as a r continuous film from the distributing tube 1 to the collecting tube`7, or nearly tothe kcollectingtube if it is desired to 'superheat t-he steam as hereinafter explained, so as to leave a central passage open at itslower end nil into which the steam generated from the I film may escape-as it is formed `vand-may.

pass freely to the collecting tube. By reason -of the fact thatlthe water is thus in a thin layer'orfilm, steam is generated rapidly and it is found possible to evaporate a much greater amount of waterper'unit of surface per unit of time than would be possible to .evaporate if the tubes were filled with Water, and it is also possible' to 'deliver3 which the steam is used and as lit has itsl outlet only fromk the lower end of the tube, it is necessarily maintained in the tube as a column having its upper end towards `the upper end of the tube and in the 'pathof the water comingfrom the `nozzle. As steam has, as compared with water, little or no tendency to adhere to a metal surface,

this column of steam will locate itself cen- Pti'ally in the tube, the water coming from the nozzle, by reason of iits inherent tend'- ency \to adhere'to a metal surface, clinging J lto the wallsjofthe tube filling the annular space between vthe column of steam and these walls and forming the film as described,VV

.this film eirtendiiig downward towards the lower endgof the tube a distance depending on the amount of 4Water supplied and ex-v tending to the lower end vof the tube if the quantity of water supplied is greater thany evaporated aswill ordinarily be ythe case. From the foregoing description it will be sprayed against'h-ighly 7heated surfaces in quantity only sufficient to insure substantiallyginstantaneous complete volatilization,

thermostatic means ,being usually provided.v

control of -this .K

Among the advantages of the method of to 'effect an automatic quantity. `f

- of the tube in contra-distinctionto the ex- 4uniform and continuousaiuid does 'not re' quire the careful regulatln that -is neces sary with the Hash boiler. 'Moreover,- the plosive .action ofv flash generation is more present invention permits the'employment lof relatively thin' tubes, permitting a very i The generator of the present vinvention oprapid heatcxchange without danger vof the tubes being` burned out, the film` of Water protecting'the tubes against this.

4When the generator of the present. invention'is operated in`the preferred manner, the film-is caused to extend substantially to the lower end of thetube so that Water and steam are discharged together at this end, v .thereby avoiding any necessity for accurate control of the Water `feed which, as above pointed'out, is requisite in flash boilers'.

crates with averyhigh degree of efficiency under varying demands `With 'a' minimum control of the Water feed.

There are thus. combined in this steam generator the advantage of `light Weight in. I

-' cidental to the use o'f relatively small quantities of water in the generating tubes in the process fof steam generation, the advantage of protection afforded to the tubesby the maintenance of a film of water on the inside thereof during the generation ofthe stealn,

and the advantage of doing away with the necessity for careful variation of theWater feed'to meet varying demands madefupon the generator.

For the purpose of causing theuwater to- .be introduced into the tubes 15 in such man- (ner as' to forma Ifilm on theinte-rior surface of the tubes, any convenient form lof distributing or spraying device which will -cause the WaterI to be sprayed against the walls may be used, but'tlie device which I prefer to use for:4 this purpose consists of a nozzle having agchamber 20 of relatively large diameter directly above'the tube 15jhaving' a discharge orifice 21'of relatively small Adiameter in tline with the axis of the tube, in which the-,Water is admitted tothe ,chamber 20 throughpassages 22'arranged at tangents to the periphery of the chamber so as to cause the water 'as it enters the chamber to Whirl or rotate andy to be discharged through the orifice 21 as a rotating stream4 throwing the Water as a y,centrifugal spray.l

cach of these tubes, I -form the' necessary (lll 'number of chambers 2`.at'distances apart corresponding to the distance apart of the tubes, in the loweror convex surface of a semicircular strip 24 and form in this lower or convex surface the tangential passages 22 as grooves leading from the passages 23' which ext-end through the strip to the upper or flat face. within a tube 25 Which fits within the vdis-y msec tributing tube 1 and has formed in-it at such intervals that when in position each one will be in line with the axis of a tube 15,tlie discharge orifices `21. i' The semicirfxular Strip 24 is held in position in the -tube 25 byJ a selicylindrical locking strip 26 or by other The diameter of. the chamber 20 is preferably about one-fourth,

convenient means.

of'an inch in "diameter but may )be larger.

The discharge orifice 21 is preferably about four hundredths of aninch in diameter.

In operation water is forced by the feed f pump 6 through the -pipes shown intohthe above the nozzle strips 24 Within the tubes 25 in the distributing Vpipes 1, and through passages 23'and tangential pas.- sages 22 into chambers20 and enters the upper ends of the tubes through discharge orifices 2l in the form of a centrifugalspray thrown outward against the Walls of the tubes and forming on these 'walls a thin layspace' inner eror film. So long as the pressure on -the water exceedsthe pressure of steam in the tubes water will be forced into the'ends of the .tubes and Will` form a film as described'. vand this film will extend as a'continuous film t tube@ or such 'throughout the length of the part' of the length of the tube as may be desired, depending vonthe excess -of the pressure en the water over the -pressure of the steamgenerated. Forordinary purposes the pressure' on the waterlv should be such that the filni will extend to the loyverends of the generator tubes and Water and steamwillv be discharged together into the collecting tubes. The circulating pump 6, being .Withinthe boiler circuit so that it is subjected to boiler pressureson both its intake and dis-' charge 'sides/ must supply only sufiicient pressure .to @elevate the water to the upper ends of the tubes and to overcome the drop lin pressure through the spraying nozzles for the respective tubes and the back pressure in f' the tubes which, of course, will vary somewhat with the diameter andlengthof the tube and will also vary somewhat-With the pressure at which the steam is being generated. As ordinarily operated, the pumpwill be driven to supply a sufficient excess pressure over the back pressure. etc. so that 'Water 1n excess ofthe generating*capacityJ of the tube but less thansuflicient to fill' the "tube willfbedelivered to the inner Wall of eachv tube whereby both" steam and Water will be discharged from the lower ends of the tubes. 1f it is desired to superheat the rte-am the pressure on the Water is reduced so that the `film will not extend to the lower ends of the generator tubes so that the steam vgenerated from the film `will come in contact with the Walls of the 'generator tubes lbelow the film and in the-collectedtubes and will be Superheated by such contact. This semicircular stripxfits Q l From the collecting tubes the water and "steam passes to the separator from which the L 65 "other, wh'ichconsists in forcing Water into steam passes `oy pipe 13 to the'engine and condenser` from vwhich vthe Water of condensation is-returned to the feed Pump by,

pipe 27 yby Whichis also supplied, as may .be required, Water from .theinake up feed. The Water Separated from the steam inthe' separator-V12 passes-by pipe lt'tothefeed pump which it enters at nearly the-.temperature at which it camefrom .the generator and is yreturned to the distributing tubes at ysubstantially this temperature, thus entering' -`the generator tubes highly hetedQhIf the-` steam is superheated, as above described, there will, of course, be no Water'to be sep-V arated from the steam and the 'feed pump will be supplied'from the condenser..

-The high pressure of the steam in -the generator tubes stitl'ens the tube against any tendency of the tube to buckle from any un' evenness of heating. `The free escape of the steam, as' it is .generated through the passage at the Center of the tube, facilitates the rapid andcontinuous evaporation vof the water and thus permits 'ofandjnecessitates a very rapid feed in order to maintain, the

f lilm throughout or substantially throughout 16 extending Athe A'length of the generator tubes The water is thus required toand does circulate rapidly in Contact with theheated'surfaces p of the heat produced bythe burners.-

v Steam '..readily bev adapted to While, as above stated,` the invention v,is

, particularly adapted and intended for use in connection with. aeroplane-engines, it' is obviously adapted for use j in. connection with generatorsfor other'purposes and may any water. tube 'type' of boiler in .which-the tubesare arranged the 'interior of the tubes other than horizontal, that is,

are so a1',- ls; substantially higher so that the ilm formed yon rangedvthat one end than thgother downwardand willfbe Aaided in its move# m'entbygravity. K'

Claims'to certain separable subject mat? ter common to this application and to ymy ropendingV application, Serial No. 132,064 filed May 22, 1925, will be made in my said copending application.v j

-Having thus described my. inventionwhat- I claim is:

1.l The method of generating steam'iinia heated tube having one fend closed to'the'` discharge` of; ysteam and higher than the 'thisu er 'la Th 'l pp p ne e rea "the steamfrom the Water.'

w'll b t'` t e l' e 'we o mov separating fthe steam, .and returning -the ni upper emr 0f- Sia' tubs, and dircun thewater toward 'the Wall of said tube,' sai Water being continuously introduced in such quantity `as continuously to maintain a film .onsaidzwall throughout a'substantial por- -tionof the length of the tube and to leave the cent'erof the tube unobstructed,v and discharging from the lower end of the tube the steam and-unevaporated Water arriving atv said end. f

' A2. Tli'e methodofgenerating steam in a heated tube having. onefend close'd to the discharge-of steam and higher than the A other, which consists in continuously forcing water into the upper end of' said tube and against the inner Wall thereof in such quantity and at such pressure in proportion to .the heat ofthe ,tube andtheback pressure as Will conti uously'maintaina iilm on said 'wail substantially throughoutthe length of sthe tube, while leaving the v`center ofA the tube unobstructed, and dischargingthesteam generated from saidilm and the unevapo- .rated Water from the lowerend of said tube.

1 '3, ,The method of generating steam in a heated Atube having one-end closed/to fthe discharge of. steam and higher than the other, Which. consists in forcing Water into i` the upper 'end o f' saidtube and' against the inner Wall thereof such' quantity and at such pressure in proportion to the heat of .the tube and the hack pressure as will maintain a iilm on said Wall substantially throughout the length of the tube, While l wleaving the center of the tube unobstructed,

and discharging the steam generate-d from said Vfilm and the unevaporated Water from the lower end. of said tube and separating 4. The method"of generating-"steam ina heated tube having one end' closed 'to the discharge of steam and higher than the other, .which consists in' 'forcing Water into the upper end of said tube, and againstkthe inner vWall. thereof in such quantity and at such .pressure-in proportion to thel heat of the los tube as will. maintain a film on the said wall'l substantially through-out' the length of the tub,fWhil'e` leaving the center 'of the tube unobstructed, and.' discharging the steam generated fronilsaid'lm and .the unevaporated Water-from the lower end of said tube,

water'to theupper end of the tube.

.5. AThe method of 'generating steam in a 'heated .tube having one end closed tothe dischargeof steam and' higher than the other, QW-hich consistsnin ,continuously -forci-npa'quantity greater than will be evaporated in the tube but. less than sucient to fill the tube and directing this Water against.

thewall of the tube, thereby leaving the center of the tube unobstructed to receive the steamv generated from the lm'of Water Jingwaterfintov the upper end of said tube v `to the discharge of steam and higher than the other and its lower end open, which consists in heating said tube by heat-exchanging contact with heated gases travelingup the outside of said tube throughout substantially the whole length thereof, continuously forc- -ing water into the upper end of said tube in quantity greatervthan will be evaporated the. tube, directing this water against the leaving the center of the tube unobstructed to receive the'steam generated from said film, continuously discharging from the lower end of said tube the steam and unevaporated water reaching said end,I and' separating the steam from the water.

7 The method of generating steam in a tube having one end higher than the other, which consists in heating said tube by 'heatkexchanging contact with heated gases traveling up the outside of said tube throughout substantially the whole length thereof, continuously forcing water into the upper end of said tube in quantity greater than will be evaporated in said'tu'be but less than suiicient to fill the tube, directing this water against the inner wall thereof to form a film thereon, leaving the center of the tube unobstructed to receivethe steam generated from said ilm,and continuously discharging steam andv unevaporated water from the lower end of said tube, separating the steam from the water, and returning said water to the upper end of said tube.

8.' ln a steam generator a substantially direct generator tube sufiiciently inclined to the horizontal to insure rapid gravity iow and having its upper end closed to the discharge of steam and its lower end open, means for heating the tube, means for continuously forcing water into the upper end of said tube and so directing it against the inner wall thereof as to form a film thereon and leave the center of the tube unobstructed, and means for separating the water from the mixture of steam and water discharged from the lower end .of said tube.

9. In a steam generator a substantially direct generator tube suiiiciently inclined to the horizontal to insure rapid ravity flow and having its upper end closed to the discharge of steam and its lower endv open, means for heating the`tube, *,means for continuously forcin Water into the up r end of said tube an so directing it against the inner wall thereof as to form a Iilm thereon and leave the center of the tube unobstructed, means for separating the water from the mixture of steam and water discharged from the lower end 'of said tube, and means for conducting the separated water back to the upper end of said tube.

l0. Apparatus for generating steam, com.- prising aseries of substantially direct generator tubes sufficiently inclined to the horizontal to insure rapid .gravity flow and a distributing tube connected to the upper ends of said tubes, a collecting tube connected to the lower ends thereof, means for directing heated gases into heat-exchanging contact with said generator tubes throughout substantially the whole length thereof, means in-said Itube but less than sufficient to fill for forcing water under pressure through said distributing tube into lthe upper ends of said generator tubes in quantity greater than will be evaporated in the respective generator tubes, but less than sufficient to ill said tubes, means for so directing said water against the inner' walls 0f said tubes as to form a. lilm on said walls and leave the. centers of the tubes unobstructed and means for separating the water from the steam and water collected in the collecting tube.

1l. Apparatus for generating steam, coin prising a series' of substantially direct generator tubes sul'liciently inclined to the horizontal to insure rapid gravity flow and a distributing tube connected to the upper ends of said tubes, a collecting tube connected to the lowerfends thereof, means for directing heated gases into heat-exchanging Contact .with said generator tubes throughout subwater collected in the collecting tube, andA means for returning said separated water to" the distributing tube. v 12. Apparatus for generating steam comprising a series of substantially direct thin tubes 'each of relatively great length compared with its diameter sufficiently inclined to the horizontal to insure rapid gravity iow and a distributing tube connected with the upper ends of said tubes, a collecting tube connected to the lower ends thereof, means for directing heated gases into heat-exchanging contact with said tubes from the lower to lthe upper ends thereof, means for forcing water under pressure through said distributing tube into the upper ends of the generator tubes in quantity greater than will be evaporated in the respective tubes but less than suiiicient to fill them, means for so directing 4said water against the inner walls of rection and from the same end of whichV said tubes as to form a lm on said Walls and leave the centers of the tubes unobstructed and means for separating the water from the 'steam and water collected in the collecting tube.

13. In a steam generator, a distributing tube, a series of generator-tubes communieating therewith and having their ends fastened therein; and a second removable tube Within said distributing tube and provided with discharge orifices registering with the ends of said generator tubes which connnu nicate with said distributing tube.

14. In a steam generator, a 'complete circuit for the water therein comprising a generating element having an inlet for Water at one end and an outlet for steam and water at the other end and through Which the water and the steam generated therein move continuously in the same direction and from the same end of which both are discharged and 1a connection between the ends of said element through which the unvaporirzed Water is returned to the receiving end thereof, means in said connection operating continuously to effect the return movement of the water therethrough, and means also in said return connection for separating the steam from the mixture of steam and water discharged from the generating element, said circuit further comprising means restricting the Water delivered to said generating elenient to a quantity less than 'suicient to fill said element but greater than lthe generating capacity thereof.

15. A steam generator according to claim 14 comprisingy means for directing heating gases over the generating element in counterliow to the direction of movement of the steam and water through said element.

16. In a steam generator, a positively defined circuit for the water therein including generating tubes each having an inlet' for Water at one end and an outlet for steam and water at the other end and through which the water and the steam generated therein move continuously in the same di e both are discharged and a connection be` tween the receiving and the discharge ends of said generating tubes through which the unvaporized water is returned to the receiving ends thereof, means in said connection operating continuously to effect the return movement of the Water therethrough, means also in said return connection for separating the steam from the mixture of steam and Water discharged from said generating tubes, said circuit further comprising means for positively distributing and restricting the water delivered to the respective generating tubes to a quantity less than suicient to fill each tube but reater than the generating capacity thereo.

17. Ina steam generator, a positively defined 'circuit for the water therein, including a generating tube, having an inlet for water at one end and an outlet for water and steam at the other end and of an insidediameter of less than one inch and oi relatively great length in proportion to its diameter, through which the water and the steam generated therein move continuously in the same direction and from the saine end of which both are discharged and a connection between the receiving and the discharge ends of said tube through which the unvaporized water -is returned .to the receiving end thereof, means in said connection operating continuously to eli'ect the returnl movement of the water therethrough, means also in said return connection for separating the 'steam from the mixture of steam and water charged from said tube, said circuit comprisino' means for restricting the water delivered to the receiving end of said tube to a quantity less than sufficient to lill said tube but greater than the generating capacity thereof.

18. In a steam generator, a posi-tively defined circuit for the water therein, including generating tubes, each having an inlet for water at one end and an outlet for water and steam at the other end and each bein of relatively small diameter and of relatively great length in proportion to the diameter, through which the water and the steam generated therein move continuously in the same direction and from the same ends oi' which both are `discharged and a connection between the receiving and the discharge ends y of said generating tubes including a distributing header and a collecting header conimon to the tubes and a common return d through which the unvaporized water is returnedl'to the distributing header, means in said connection operating continuously to effect` the return movement of the water therethrough, means also in said" connection for separating the steam from the mixture of steam and water discharged yfrom said means for positively distributing and vrestricting the water delivered to the respective generating tubes to a quantity less than sufficient to lill each tube but greater than the generating capacity thereof.

19. In a steam generator, a positively defined circuit for the water therein including a generating tube, of relatively small diameter and of relatively great length in proportion to its diameter, said tube having an inlet for water at one end and an outlet for water and steam at the other end and having an unobstructed interior through which generating tubes, said circuit including'l the water and the steam generated therein move 4continuously in the same direction and from the same end of which both are discharged and a connection between the receiving and the discharge ends of said ltube lto its diameter and having an unobstructed' interior, which consists in causing the Water and the steam Which is generatedfrom the Water in sald tube to move continuously 1n tube.

the same direction through the unobstructed interior of said tube, continuously introducing the VWater into one end of the generating tube in quantity less than suiicient to till said tube but greater than the generating capacity thereof, continuously separa-ting the steam from the mixture of steam and Water after discharge from the other end of the tube, and continuously returning the separated vyater to the, receiving end of said 2l. The methodof-generating'steam in a generating'tube which lhas yone end closed to the discharge of steam and higher rthan the other end from which the steam and unevaporated Watermay freely discharge and which also has an unobstructed interior,

which consists in causing -the Waterand the steam generated from the Water in said tube to move continuously inthe same direction through, thel unobstructed interior,ofl said tube, continuously. lintroducing the Water into said higher end of the generating tube in quantity less' than sufiicient to fill said tube but greater than the generating ca.'- pacity thereof, separating the steam from the mixture of steam and Water discharged from the lower end of the tube and ,continue ously returning the separated water to the' receiving end of said tube. j

22. The method of generating steam in a stationary heatedl steam generating tube hav'- ing -one end elos'edto the discharge 'of steam While the other 'end isv open for the free dischargeI of both steam`l and Water, which consists in continuously introducing Water into the closed end of the generating'` tube, so controlling the introduction of Water that the tube is continuously supplied with more Water than `it can convert into steam but with less than sufficient to lill it, and eii'ecting a continuous movement of the Water and the steam in the same direction through the tube anda continuous discharge of the.

steam and the excess Water from the discharge end thereof.

23. A steam generator comprising a generating tube closed at one end to the dis-- chargeof steam While' the other end is left open for vthe .free discharge of both steam and Water, said tube having in its closed end an orifice through which Water may be introduced into the tubebut so restricted as to limit the amount introduced, means for continuously introducing Water into said ,tube through said orifice, comprising a continuously operatlng pump, the pump being of such lcapacity and Vbeing adapted to be so operated as to produce a waterhead upon the orifice that, with respect'to therestrics Vtion of the oritice and With respect to the heat applied to thev tube, will vdeliver con- WALTER DOUGLAS lLA MONT.

-tinuously to the tube a supply of Water inI 

